Aidan P.o.V

Often times, I question how I find myself in these little situations. Situations that always turn out to be not so great. I mean, seriously. At the moment, there is a gun to my head, and I'm being pushed into a tiny shack in the middle of nowhere with the biggest asshole currently inside.

Oh, and let's not forget about the swollen ankle or the fact that I would be in very close quarters with some guys who seriously need a good bath and some deodorant.

I wasn't joking about Daryl needing a bath either.

Just saying.

Anyway, back to current events.

"What is this?" Ralph half screamed at us as we walked out of the bushes where I had been hiding.

"I told you the hunter wasn't alone. Seems this little bird was looking for him." Tony replied shortly, a calm coolness in his voice. He didn't see me as much as a threat.

"How dense must you be? We literally just discussed how we should get rid of the asshole inside the shack, and you bring his friend? Does it look like we are having a slumber party out here? Jesus. You didn't even take off her weapons? How fucking dumb must you be?" He said before turning his attention to me.

"I am going to give you one chance to live. Only one. I want you to take off every little weapon you have on you. From daggers to knives, guns, and even that bow, you're carrying around for your friend. All of it. Now. Disobey me, and I will GUT you where you stand. And trust me. I want to kill you. So you'd best listen while I'm feeling generous. "He said as he stared me down, an evil, sadistic smile on his face. He was definitely one of them.

My body filled with rage as every fiber of my being told me to tell this guy off, to show him just how 'generous' I could be. But it seems I have an advantage here as well. They must think that I'm carrying around weapons for Daryl. Little did they know that underestimating me would bite them in the ass. Just as soon as I figured out how we were gonna get free.

You know, I wouldn't be in this situation if it wasn't for that asshole. I mean, seriously.

I took a deep breath before slowly taking my bow and arrows out of their holsters. I made a point of grabbing them in the wrong ways. Acting like I had never handled them before.

My hands shook as I threw them down and reached for my guns, gripping their handles with my thumb and index fingers. Treating them like a snake that was about to bite me.

They both chuckled and smiled at one another.

I reached down and grabbed the handle of my daggers and pulled them out of their leg holsters.

I threw them down at the ground, and they both landed perfectly in front of Tony and Ralph. The blades dug into the hard ground.

The chuckles stopped then.

"Well... maybe we can use those knife skills in the kitchen, eh?" Tony joked aloud before whispering in Ralph's ears.

I'm sure it was something along the lines of 'let's keep the sharp objects away from her.'

Of course, they thought that I had shown my hand. In all reality, I had only shown them one card; and we were playing a 5 card draw.

Once I threw all of my weapons down (excluding the one I kept hidden in my boot, of course) and handed over my backpack. Ralph pushed me into the little cabin while Tony stayed behind to inventory everything.

The first thing I noticed was Daryl lying on the floor bloody and bruised. He was covered in so much blood that I honestly couldn't tell where his face began and where it ended.

I could see his body going up and down. Great, at least he was still alive.

I was pushed down onto a small wooden chair, my hands tied behind my back, and a gray piece of duct tape was placed over my lips.

I guess they didn't want my (imaginary) screams to pull in the walkers.

Fair enough, I guess I was supposed to be scared at this point.

I started crying again, acting panicked. My sobs muffled by the tape.

"I wonder what the asshole will say now that we have his little girlfriend. Maybe we can blackmail him into reforming and joining the cause. What do ya think, Ralph?" Tony asked joyfully as he threw my belongings on the ground near the door.

I shook my head slowly, tearfully. Looking between the men and Daryl.

I'm sure they thought I was worried about the asshole. I mean, that's what I wanted them to think anyway.

Truthfully I needed him to wake up. I was going to need his help if we were ever going to get out of here. That was a fact. As much as I hated to admit it.

Ralph walked over to Daryl before kicking him in the stomach, stirring him from his sleep. His eyes opened and found me instantly.

You know. For an asshole, he really did have some beautiful eyes.

Anyway.

"What the f-" Daryl screamed out before getting kicked in the stomach again.

Tears continued to roll down my eyes as Ralph continued to kick him over and over again.

His eyes found mine, and I quickly looked down at my boots before looking back into his eyes.

He nodded slightly.

I started to talk against the duct tape. Screaming loudly, doing whatever I could to get their attention off of him.

Eventually, Tony walked over and shoved his gun in my face.

This was getting rather old.

Ralph turned on me, obviously displeased about being interrupted. He stomped towards me with hate and anger and rage.

As he walked up, he grabbed the back of my hair and jerked my head up to face him before ripping the tape from my mouth.

"This better be good, ya little cunt. I was just getting to the good part." He snarled down at me.

"Stop it! Stop hurting him! Stop it or else!" I screamed out at them, my scalp stinging from the constant pressure of being pulled.

Ralph chuckled loudly before inching his face closer and closer to mine, right until our lips were almost pressing together.

"Or else what dollface?" He said as he roughly planted a kiss on my lips.

Oh, this asshole was gonna pay. I was gonna make sure of it. "See that little bird. I can do anything I want, and there isn't anything you can do to stop me. So maybe. You just sit here all quiet and maybe. Just maybe. I'll let you both live. How does that sound?"

I nodded up at him slowly. He smiled at me before moving towards my ear, his voice barely a whisper now.

"Good girl. Now listen, I need you to do me a little favor. I need you to go over to that asshole of a boyfriend of yours, and I want you to convince him to join us. Tell him that if he doesn't join us and claim you well... then we might just claim you for ourselves. If you know what I mean." He stood up slowly as he locked eyes with Daryl, his hands untying the binds around my hands before slowly hovering his hands over my body. Gliding down them slowly, thoughtfully. Before resting on both of my thighs.

"Tony. I think we are gonna give our little bird a few moments with her beloved. We will be right outside and keeping an eye on you two. So no funny business." Ralph said threateningly before he cut the binds walking towards the door. Both he and Tony walked out and slammed the door behind us, before turning to watch us through the window.

I gotta say i'm a little impressed with their tactics. I mean, they left my weapons over by the door. Close enough, I could see them and try to make a run for them. It was smart. A test as it were.

I stood up slowly and ran over to Daryl. "Are you ok?" I asked him quietly, my voice barely over a whisper.

"Yea. You? I saw those creeps touching ya." Aww... it almost sounded like he was worried about me. How cute.

"Daryl, I know we have our differences but, I need you to trust me." His eyes searched mine, looking for some hidden answer to his internal struggle, before finally nodding.

I pushed him so that he was lying flat on his back. His arms which were still tied up underneath him, laid a little more to the left side.

That was going to be an issue.

Fuck.

A look of confusion flashed on his face, but before he could even mutter a question. I stepped over his body and sat down.

My eyes searched his before quickly looking over to my left boot one last time. Hopefully, he got the memo.

I leaned my head down slowly and pressed my lips to his. The kiss was soft and gentle. I felt his body tense up underneath me before relaxing. I could feel one of his hands reaching for the top of my boot.

I stretched my back out a little so that my foot was a little lower to the ground. All he needed was to be able to grab the handle and maybe. Just maybe we had a chance at getting out of here.

I felt him reaching; he was almost there.

I pulled my face away from his and stared into his eyes, "Daryl, these nice people want us to j-join them. They said that if you didn't... they'd make me go with them. I-I'm so scared baby." I quietly shouted. I kept my voice at the right level, just enough I knew they could hear me, but not loud enough to make it look like I wanted them to listen to me.

I felt the knife slide up out of my boot, just a few more seconds.

Suddenly the door slammed open. I threw myself off of him, twisting my left ankle even more, making it look like he threw me off of him. Sure it hurt, but at least they couldn't see him pull the knife from my boot and hide it under his body.

There was one more part to this plan to make it work. Unfortunately, if my idea did work, I would have to kill both of them. I couldn't afford to let them live.

Now let's see if dumb or dumber can act like I need them to.

"OWW. FUCK!" I screamed in mock pain as I reached for my ankle. "Daryl, I know you're shy, but you didn't have to buck me off, you asshole. Maybe I am better off with these two." I yelled angrily as tears began to stream down my face.

Damn, am I good. Waterworks on Que? Check.

Two idiots walking towards me? Double Check.

Ralph seized my arm and hauled me up, surprisingly letting me lean on him instead of having me put my weight on my ankle.

My, what a gentleman.

He actually thought I was serious; what a fucking idiot. They bought it hook, line and sinker.

"Look what you did to the poor girl, you nasty redneck! You made her cry!" Tony, or idiot number two, screamed out at Daryl, and he stomped on his stomach.

They both got on either side of me and helped me 'limp' over to the chair I was in initially. Obviously, now that I threatened to leave my 'boyfriend,' they saw me as less of a threat than before.

Good. All we need now is the right moment to attack.

We needed to catch them off guard, and I already had a plan.

Let's see if Tweedledum and Tweedledee can follow through.

I rubbed my wrist hard as I winced in mock pain.

"What's wrong? Why are you rubbing your wrist? I thought your ankle was injured?" Ralph asked me as he stepped back, suspicion in his eyes.

Tony, on the other hand, stayed next to me, glaring daggers at Ralph.

"Obviously, the redneck must have caused her to hurt her wrist when she fell. Isn't that right, baby girl?" Tony asked as he stroked his fingers across my face.

Gross.

Disgusting.

Seriously what kind of slut did they think I was? Just because I 'yelled' at my 'boyfriend.' Fucking disgusting.

I felt my heart quicken as the PTSD threatened to take over, the trauma of my past bubbling to the surface.

For a slight moment, I felt terrified. Now was not the time, but the more Tony touched me, the more panicky I got.

'1 girl. 2 knives. 3 men.' I thought to myself. It was how I coped. I focused on things I could count until the feelings ebbed away. I would allow myself to freak out once we got out of this situation, not before.

They stared at me, waiting for an answer. Luckily I was still crying, although I'm ashamed to admit my tears were no longer fake.

"I-I'm so sorry. I'm just so s-scared." I whimpered out quietly as I looked down at my hands. "A-and my right wrist hurts so bad, I think he opened up an old wound when he pushed me off. C-could you maybe check it for me?" I asked Tony quietly, as I bit my lip and batted my eyes at him lightly.

"Of course, and once we're done here, we'll take you back home. You'll be safe there!" He replied cheerfully, obviously thinking that I was going to be 'his' girl now.

As he rolled up my sleeve, he looked from my wrist up to me with a questioning look on his face. "Why is there a bandage on here?" He asked me, suspicion now leaking into his voice.

Hmph. So much for me being his girl, I guess. I suppose it's now or never.

"I-I was ashamed to say before, but Daryl was giving me lessons with his crossbow, and somehow when I loaded the arrow, I sliced my skin open. I think when I f-fell, it ripped open the wound." I answered quietly, hoping they weren't smart enough to realize zero blood was on the bandage.

Tony looked up to Ralph, who nodded back at Tony to continue.

Either they were massive idiots, or they figured I couldn't defend myself if I was lying.

I looked over at Daryl. "I-I'm sorry Daryl, but you have a choice. You can join us," I said as I looked at both Tony and Ralph. My eyes lingering on Ralph a little longer than needed.

At that moment, I questioned every decision I made.

What if Daryl couldn't understand what I was saying?

What if he didn't have enough time to get cut loose?

I mean, this is what I get for being a 'good person,' yet again, my life was in the hands of another person.

Anyway.

I took a deep breath, preparing my mind. I needed to go to 'that place.'

It looked like I was trying to find the courage but instead, I was just pushing away the guilt.

"Or... we can leave you here as walker food—either way. WE ARE DONE. I can't believe I ever thought I loved you." I spat out at him as Tony unwrapped the final bandage on my wrist.

"Ralph is this..." Tony asked as he looked up at Ralph.

Ralph's eyes went wide as he looked between my wrist and tony. I could see the wheels churning in his head.

"DARYL NOW!" I screamed out at him as I kicked Tony to the ground with my right foot. Jumping out of the chair and lunging for a weapon by the door.

From behind me, I heard Ralph fall to the ground. Good job, guard dog; you can follow directions.

Just as my hand grazed the handle of my knife, Tony grabbed my left ankle dragging me to him. He flipped me over and pinned me to the ground.

"You little bitch. How dare you kick me!" He said as he reared his hand back, ready to strike, as a bolt whizzed past his head.

"Tony! Dumbass! You can't hurt her. You know what he would do!" Ralph yelled at him as he dove towards the guns by the door.

Daryl was climbing up off the ground, a black shiner on his right eyes from where he was hit after saving me.

Dumbass.

Tony grabbed my arm and jerked me up, clasping both hands and holding them behind my back.

Heh, seems my reputation precedes me.

I braced myself; as he began to pull me towards the door, I used all the energy I had to spin on my left foot in the opposite direction. I felt my left foot break, but it managed to get me on the floor, next to my weapons.

I grabbed my pistol and rolled over, right as Tony reached for me.

Without a second thought, I fired the trigger—the bullet landing right between his eyes.

His body fell on me with a sickening thump. The pain in my ankle amplified by probably a million.

Who knows? It hurt like a bitch, that's all I'm saying.

Daryl P.o.V

Damn, she has good aim. Even in pain, she hit him right in the forehead. Guess this princess is a good shot after all.

Ralph looked between his dead friend and me before turning tail and running out of the shack, not even bothering to grab a weapon.

What a pussy.

Nope. Not today. I refuse to let a pervert like him live in this world.

I lined up my shot and hit him right in his right kneecap.

He fell to the ground right outside of the shack. Once he hit the ground, he tried to crawl away, unsuccessfully, might I add.

I walked over to him slowly before kicking his side, forcing him to roll over on his back.

"Please, please don't kill me. I can give you information on the girl you're traveling with. Trust me, I am worth more to you alive than dead." He pleaded with me.

"Now, who says I'm gonna kill ya," I said as I shot his other kneecap, pinning him to the ground.

"I betcha, walkers all around heard that gunshot. I figured I'd leave them a little feast. Bye now." I said happily as I reached down, lifted his head up by his t-shirt, and slammed his head down.

Knocking him out.

Good, he can be bait for the walkers, but I gotta get the princess out of here.

God, is it going to be a pain with how hurt she is.

Dumbass.

I walked into the shack to see her on the ground, her eyes struggling to stay open.

"You're smarter than I give you credit for a guard dog." He chuckled out weakly. If that was the best insult she had, then she must really be in pain.

"Ye- shut up. I coulda handled them without ya help." I told her sternly as I pushed Tony off of her.

Man, was he fat as hell. Wonder what he was eating.

Her ankle was rightly broken this time.

This was going to be a bitch.

"Just leave me. None of them liked me back there anyway. I'd just slow you down. I can barely keep my eyes open. They need you to get back there with the food. Rick is worried." She said quietly, her eyes fluttering open and closed.

"Nah. I don't run that way. You're coming back with me, princess. No discussions." I answered her as I bent down to grab all of the supplies and weapons, including the rabbits I caught for the group. She was right. They would need them and soon.

Once I had everything strapped securely, I bent down and gently picked her up. The moans from outside were getting louder. We needed to get out of there and now.

"You really are an idiot. Fine, do what you want, but don't blame me when you get killed." She mumbled angrily.

"Just shut up and let me help you. Go the fuck to sleep. You look like death anyway." I responded as I carried her out of the shack and slowly into the woods. Keeping my eyes and ears peeled for walkers. I can only hope they were coming from the opposite direction that we did.

"Wait, Daryl. My wrist. Covered. Secret." She said as her head slumped against my chest.

Her wrist?

I looked down to see a small lunar shaped tattoo. Looks fresh, maybe a few years old. She wanted it hidden, but why?

Not my business, I suppose, but I plan to get answers from her before I tell Rick.

I readjusted my hand and slid her sleeve down to cover her wrist.

This was definitely going to be a long night.